How to make a hole puncher

Written by kim blakesley| 13/05/2017

Sharpen the edge of a piece of black pipe to make a hole punch (file image by Aleksandr Ugorenkov from Fotolia.com)

A homemade hole punch is used to punch holes in paper, card stock, cardboard, foam, gasket sheeting and fabric. A sharp edge is required to make a clean sharp cut. A piece of black pipe works extremely well for a hole punch. Use an 1/8-inch, 1/4-inch, 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch piece of black pipe two inches long to make a hole punch. Larger diameters of black pipe are available for purchase if the diameter of the required hole is larger than 3/4-inches.

Position a 4-inch piece of 1/2-inch diameter black pipe on the outside edge of the bench vice. Secure the black pipe so it is on a true horizontal.

Use a flat file and bevel the edge of the pipe. Push the file away from the pipe at a 25-degree angle.

Reposition the pipe as needed to create a 25-degree bevel around the circumference of the pipe. File until the round edge is razor sharp.

Remove the pipe from the bench vice. Wipe the entire surface to remove any metal shavings.